Nicole Pasia 1/11/22 Nicole Pasia 1/11/22

Hawaiʻi Budget and Policy Center highlights potential solutions to the housing crisis

A new health and housing research series delves into healthcare for people experiencing homelessness and policy solutions for a more affordable housing market.

ʻAʻaliʻi Dukelow 1/3/22 ʻAʻaliʻi Dukelow 1/3/22

Hawaiʻi’s high housing costs could have literally become a health hazard, study finds

The study highlights the need to create housing policies that push for more affordable homes and manage housing prices.

Brittany Lyte 12/19/21 Brittany Lyte 12/19/21

Hawaiʻi schools are buying less local food during the pandemic

Despite new legislation requiring public schools to serve student meals with more local ingredients, advocates say they are frustrated by a regression in local food initiatives.

Scott Yunker 12/16/21 Scott Yunker 12/16/21

Raise Up Hawaiʻi demands higher minimum wage

An increased minimum wage would not only put food on families’ tables but put money in their pockets for spending at local businesses.

Noe Tanigawa 12/3/21 Noe Tanigawa 12/3/21

Aloha Friday Conversation: Seizing affordable housing opportunities in Hawaiʻi

This episode of "The Conversation" is packed with discussions about Hawaiʻi's housing and homelessness crisis and policy solutions advocates are working to implement at the state and county level.

Nicole Pasia 10/28/21 Nicole Pasia 10/28/21

Hawaiʻi tax reform could increase healthcare affordability, experts say

The Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center is calling for lawmakers to pass tax reform that would address racial and socioeconomic disparities across the state.

Kevin Dayton 10/21/21 Kevin Dayton 10/21/21

Hawaiʻi prisons are finally moving forward with an ID program for inmates

A law passed in 2017 required the state to provide convicts with identification upon release to help them manage on the outside.

Anita Hofschneider 10/21/21 Anita Hofschneider 10/21/21

Biden’s spending bill could be a ‘game changer’ for housing in Hawaiʻi

The Build Back Better bill that the U.S. Senate is debating has the potential to make a huge dent in Hawaiʻi’s affordable housing needs, according to advocates.

Sophie Cocke 10/14/21 Sophie Cocke 10/14/21

Pandemic fuels spike in childhood obesity in Hawaiʻi

Nearly one in six children between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese in Hawaiʻi, marking a significant increase from four years ago and fueling concerns about the impact that COVID-19 restrictions and school closures have had on the health of the state’s youth.

Rick Daysog 10/13/21 Rick Daysog 10/13/21

Amid inflation fears, Hawaiʻi business owners and consumers brace for rising prices

Consumer prices nationwide reached their highest levels in a decade last month, potentially impacting local businesses and consumers.

Will Caron 9/27/21 Will Caron 9/27/21

How the ‘Build Back Better’ plan saves money and lives

The answer lies in an expansion of the strategy that held the line against poverty in 2020 and that helped America out of the Great Depression.

Kenna StormoGipson 9/3/21 Kenna StormoGipson 9/3/21

Here’s an affordable housing plan that’s already working

Portland, San Francisco and LA have all upped property taxes to build housing. Hawaiʻi—which has the lowest property taxes in the country—should do the same with its investment properties, starting in Maui.

Casey Harlow 8/27/21 Casey Harlow 8/27/21

Fundraising campaign kicks off next week to help fight child hunger

An annual fundraising campaign kicks off next week to help fight child hunger and expand participation in free breakfast programs at public schools.

Nicole Pasia 8/24/21 Nicole Pasia 8/24/21

Hawaiʻi Budget and Policy Center director Beth Giesting’s economic update

The pandemic’s effect on the state economy: Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis, and its role as a social determinant of health; and key takeaways from the state budget.

Deborah Zysman and Gavin Thornton 8/22/21 Deborah Zysman and Gavin Thornton 8/22/21

Invest in human infrastructure, not just roads and bridges

Reps. Ed Case and Kai Kahele have the opportunity to help Congress build back a more resilient and equitable economy.

Nicole Pasia 8/2/21 Nicole Pasia 8/2/21

Hawaiʻi advocates for ALICE communities

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, 59 percent of Hawaiʻi households now struggle to afford adequate housing and access to healthy food.

Kenna StormoGipson 7/28/21 Kenna StormoGipson 7/28/21

Biden’s infrastructure deal doesn’t invest in housing for Hawaiʻi

Funding only roads and bridges will not make Hawaiʻi more affordable or keep residents from leaving.

Anita Hofschneider 7/26/21 Anita Hofschneider 7/26/21

Why are more people than ever receiving food stamps in Hawaiʻi?

A historically high enrollment in the food stamp program is part of a broader increase in the need for public services during the pandemic.

Kevin Dayton 7/13/21 Kevin Dayton 7/13/21

State tax collections soared back to pre-pandemic levels in the past year

The stunning rebound in general treasury tax revenue was driven by increased state income tax collections.

Sarah Kleiner, Taylor Johnston, Michael Casey 6/29/21 Sarah Kleiner, Taylor Johnston, Michael Casey 6/29/21

Rental assistance fell victim to politics, bureaucracy

Nationwide, state leaders set aside $2.6 billion to prop up struggling renters, but a year later more than 16 percent hasn’t made it to tenants or landlords.